Shelf acetabuloplasty is part of the armamentarium for the treatment of Legg-Perthes-Calve disease. Surgeons have used it to increase the anterolateral cover of the deformed head in advanced stages of the disease. However, others, including the senior author, advocate its use for containment of the diseased femoral head earlier in the disease, for both the prevention of further femoral head extrusion and as an aid in the remodelling process. The current study presents the results of this procedure performed from August 1999 to February 2010. Full sets of x-rays were available for 44 patients (45 hips). Three other bilateral cases were treated with a unilateral shelf.Aim
Method
Differentiation between bone infarction and bone infection in sickle cell disease has traditionally been difficult, even with modern imaging techniques, and widespread antibiotic use is common. Early differentiation between the two conditions would enable more appropriate targeting of radiological investigations, antibiotics and surgery, and avoid un-necessary antibiotic usage. At our tertiary paediatric sickle cell centre, we have developed a sequencing protocol to be able to accurately differentiate between infection and infarction in sickle cell children using Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging. We have undertaken a preliminary retrospective study to analyse clinical and laboratory parameters in these children to see whether earlier differentiation prior to MR imaging is possible.Aim
Method
Following successful adoption of the Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment, a team of physiotherapists and orthotists and one surgeon in Jalalabad, Afghanistan have begun to treat Congenital Vertical Talus (CVT) by the technique described by Dodds et al, adapted to locally available resources. We have reviewed the outcome. Since 2010, 38 feet in 31 patients have been treated. Diagnosis of CVT is confirmed with a stress radiograph. The underlying conditions are diverse. The technique involves serial passive stretches and plaster of Paris casts. Once the talo-navicular joint is judged to be reduced, the joint if fixed with a percutaneous pin under local anaesthetic and an Achilles tenotomy performed. Post-operative treatment is as per the Iowa technique with night-time bracing and an AFO for ambulant patients.Aim
Method
This pilot study aimed to identify the important symptomatic, functional and psychosocial aspects of hip disorders from the perspective of adolescent patients and their families in order to begin developing a patient-focused instrument (Bridging Adolescent Self-Reported Hip – BASH - score). This was a qualitative patient-centred study at a tertiary paediatric orthopaedic centre involving 50 adolescents aged 13–17 years, composed of five groups of 10 adolescents with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), hip dysplasia (DDH), labral tears undergoing arthroscopic treatment, lower limb trauma and a miscellaneous group with conditions including Perthes' disease. A control group of 100 adolescents were also interviewed from a local school. Adolescent and separate concurrent parent groups underwent an ‘open’ phase face-to-face or telephone interview (theme development). This involved agreeing or disagreeing with statements, and open exploration of ideas related to the ‘day in the life’ of an adolescent with hip problems in order to generate and specify themes. This was followed by ranking and finally, scoring and testing.Aim
Methods
Although non-union is a devastating and costly consequence of trauma for the child, family and society it is felt to be a rare complication in children. Currently there is no data available in the literature regarding its incidence either per fracture or per head of population. Should we be taking paediatric fracture non-union more seriously regarding research, resource allocation and informed consent? Our aim was to determine the incidence of non-union per child and per fracture. In Scotland Information Services Division (NHS Scotland) records every inpatient admission by ICD-10 diagnosis. As almost all fracture non-unions require intervention ISD provides accurate non-union figures by site and age. However, many fractures are treated as outpatients. Using local data of overall fracture numbers we were able to calculate a ratio of inpatient to total fracture numbers and apply this nationally.Aim
Method
The purpose of this study was to quantify the number of children treated with ESIN (elastic stable intra-medullary nails) at our institution and to determine what proportion of these nails have been removed and the time and difficulty taken to do so. Patients treated with ESIN between 2000 and 2005 were identified by database search. Their notes were reviewed to record patient and initial nailing details, and timing, difficulty and length of metalwork removal procedures. Complications leading to premature removal or following nail extraction were noted.Aim
Methods
To compare the effectiveness of arthrodiastasis with shelf acetabuloplasty for Perthes' disease in older children, by assessing the radiological outcome in matched pairs of children at skeletal maturity. Retrospective observational study case series.Objective
Design
Northern Ireland has previously demonstrated high incidence of Perthes' disease (11.6 per 100,000). The aim of this study is to confirm a declining incidence in this diagnosis in Northern Ireland. A reduction in new Perthes' patients had been noted by the senior author. A retrospective study was designed to identify patients with a new diagnosis of this disease over a 7 year period (2004–10). Clinical notes were interrogated using word searches. Further cross referencing with x-ray system reports were utilised to capture all new patients presenting with subsequently proven Perthes'. Patients not resident in Northern Ireland at the time of diagnosis were excluded. Patients with epiphyseal dysplasia or avascular necrosis secondary to treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip were also excluded. A previous study from this unit had demonstrated 313 new cases over the 7 year period 1992–1998, with average incidence of approximately 45/year for the population. All years in our study (2004–10) have had less than 30 for the entire population (<8.3 per 100,000). Significant variation between years with some years much less detected, so further searches are been undertaken to ensure completeness if data capture.Methods
Results
We evaluated the outcome of conservative versus surgical treatment in lateral humeral condyle fractures in children. The management in some of these fractures remains controversial, ultimately relying upon the individual practitioner. We identified 73 children who sustained such fractures, with varying degrees of displacement, during the period between April 2006 and October 2011.Aim
Methods
Fractures are the second commonest presentation of non-accidental injury (NAI) in children. Approximately one third of abused children will present to Acute Trauma Services (ATS) with fractures. Any cases of suspected child maltreatment should be referred to Safeguarding Services for follow-up, as outlined by Trust Guidelines. Our aim was to examine the referral of children with suspicious fractures to safeguarding and assess if cases with high risk of abuse are being missed by ATS. A comprehensive literature review identified commonly cited indicators of abuse. Inclusion criteria included age less than 18 months seen in A&E or Fracture Clinic with a long bone fracture. Patient notes were analysed to identify occurrence of these risk factors and findings cross-referenced with Safeguarding Services' records to verify whether high-risk patients were detected. The origin of each referral was also noted.Aim
Method
This study presents the early results of a novel procedure, both in timing and surgical technique, aimed to treat those cases of congenital hip dysplasia that present late or fail conservative treatment. 48 patients and 55 hips treated over the period from December 2004 to February 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. All were treated with adductor and psoas tenotomy, open reduction, capsulorrhaphy and acetabuloplasty by the senior author.Aim
Methods
There is mounting evidence to suggest a vascular insult is responsible for Perthes' disease, and it is suggested that this may have long-term implications for the vascular health of affected individuals. This study sought to use ultrasound measures to investigate vascular structure and function in children affected by Perthes' disease. This case control study encompassed 149 cases and 146 controls, frequency matched for age and sex. Endothelial function was measured using the technique of flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, and alterations in arterial flow were recorded in response to an ischaemic stimulus.Objective
Material and Methods
Perthes' disease is associated with coxa breva, plana and magna, and a high riding prominent greater trochanter causing abductor shortening and weakness, leg shortening and extra-articular impingement. A trochanteric advancement with an infero-lateralising oblique sliding osteotomy of the proximal femur would lengthen femoral neck, improve abductor length and strength, relieve impingement and improve leg length. We assessed the mid-term outcomes for this procedure. We included patients who underwent the operation by the senior author (JNOH) with more than 2 years follow-up. The osteotomies were performed minimally invasively under image intensifier guidance and fixed with blade plate or locking plates. We assessed functional scores, radiological changes in neck length, Tonnis grading for arthritis and evidence of femoral head avascular necrosis, time interval for conversion to hip arthroplasty and associated complications.Introduction
Method
A study to assess the clinical importance of asymmetric thigh creases as the sole clinical sign in the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip. All consultant clinic letters have been saved on a hospital hard drive since 1999. This drive was searched for the terms “thigh crease” and “skin crease”. Irrelevant letters and referral letters describing factors that would indicate screening in our unit were excluded leaving those with the sole referral complaint of asymmetric thigh creases (ATC). We also reviewed the original referrals of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) patients managed by open or closed reduction. These patients were identified through operative coding. All available hard copy notes were reviewed and patients with neuromuscular conditions or longitudinal deficiency were excluded. Results were inputted into an Excel spreadsheet and analysed by a statistician at the University of Sheffield assuming a background population incidence for DDH of 1 in 1000. 399 computer files containing the search terms were identified. Many contained whole clinics of patient letters. After exclusions we identified 229 patients with the sole referral complaint of ATC. Three of the 229 patients had DDH, which was not statistically significant (p=0.107). The majority of the normal patients had radiological investigations. Hard copy notes were available and relevant for 130 of the 289 operatively managed patients, of whom one was initially referred with the sole complaint of ATC. Orthopaedic specialist examination demonstrated all four patients initially referred with only ATC had decreased abduction and shortening.METHOD
RESULTS
Debate remains over the optimal treatment for severe unstable SCFE. AVN is the principle problem; current thinking suggests this can be minimized by emergent reduction and fixation within 24 hours. If emergent treatment is not possible, open osteotomy with a variable delay of 10–21 days has been advocated. We present our experience of delayed intracapsular cuneiform osteotomy (ICO) SCFE cases were identified through ICD-10 coding and theatre records. Unstable slips were identified and reviewed retrospectively. When ICO was performed, the hip was accessed via anterior approach without hip dislocation. A cuneiform shortening osteotomy of the neck with physeal excision was undertaken. The epiphysis was carefully reduced and stabilized with a single screw.Aim
Methods
Identification of the paediatric orthopaedic patient at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) can allow a targeted approach to thromboprophylaxis. There is currently no national consensus on the correct method of risk assessment in this patient group. The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital has developed a guideline using the evidence available to allow stratification of risk for the paediatric orthopaedic patient. A list of departments offering specialist paediatric orthopaedic surgery was obtained from the member list of the British Society of Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons (BSCOS). These hospitals were contacted via telephone interview to determine if they have a specific guideline or risk assessment proforma for paediatric VTE risk. A total of 74 hospitals were identified with a specialist paediatric orthopaedic practice in the United Kingdom. A response rate was gained from 100% of these hospitals. Only 3/74 of these hospitals had a guideline or protocol in place for the formal assessment of VTE risk in the paediatric patient (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore; Sheffield Children's Hospital; Barts & the London NHS Trust). All three hospitals were able to provide details of their guideline. Both the RNOH and Barts & the London commented that their guideline was based on that of the Sheffield group, with adaptations for their own requirements. The majority of hospitals in the UK with a paediatric orthopaedic interest do not have guidance available for the management of VTE risk. Presented here is the outcome of using the limited evidence available, in combination with expert opinion, to develop a guideline suitable for the requirements of a paediatric unit in an orthopaedic hospital. This may be of benefit to other units producing their own guidelines, producing thought and discussion as to the specific requirements of paediatric patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures.
Patients who are symptomatic with concurrent acetabular dysplasia and proximal femoral deformity may have Perthes disease. Osteotomies to correct both the acetabular and proximal femur deformities may optimise biomechanics and improve pain and function. In this study, we assessed the long-term results for such a combined procedure. We included patients who underwent concurrent pelvic and proximal femoral osteotomies by the senior surgeon (JNOH) with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. A modified triple pelvic interlocking osteotomy was performed to correct acetabular inclination and/or version with a concurrent proximal femoral osteotomy to correct valgus/varus and/or rotational alignment. We assessed functional scores, radiological paramenters, arthroplasty conversion rate, time interval before conversion to arthroplasty and other associated complications.Introduction
Methods
Evaluation of the pre-operative documentation of neurovascular status in children presenting with Gartland Grades 2 and 3 supracondylar fractures and the development of an Emergency Department Proforma. A retrospective case-note review was performed on patients with Gartland Grade 2 and 3 supracondylar fractures observed in a two-year period from July 2008 – July 2010. 137 patients were included; sixteen patients (11.7%) sustained a Gartland Grade 2a fracture, sixty patients (43.8%) a Gartland Grade 2b fracture and sixty-one (44.5%) a Gartland Grade 3 fracture. Mean patient age at presentation was 5.59 years (range 12 months to 13 years). Nineteen patients (13.9%) had evidence of neurological deficit at presentation and thirteen patients (9.5%) presented with an absent radial pulse. Only twelve patients (8.8%) and nineteen patients (13.9%) respectively had a complete pre-operative neurological or vascular assessment documented. Regarding the individual nerves, fifty-nine (43.1%) patients had median nerve integrity documented, fifty-five (40.1%) ulnar nerve and forty-nine (35.8%) radial nerve integrity documented. Only eighteen patients (13.1%) had their anterior interosseous nerve function documented. Ten patients (7.3%) had post-operative neurological dysfunction, consisting of eight ulnar nerve injuries, and two radial nerve injuries.Purposes of study
Methods and results
The association between idiopathic scoliosis and intrinsic abnormalities of the spinal cord are well known. MRI is the most sensitive imaging modality available to diagnose an intraspinal anomaly. The use of a routine ‘screening MRI’ prior to scoliosis correction is controversial. This study sought to quantify the frequency of previously unidentified cord anomalies identified by a routine pre-operative MRI, in patients planned for surgical scoliosis correction.Background
Purpose
To assess the efficacy of combined medical and surgical management in obtaining normal lower limb mechanical alignment in a patient cohort with genotypically similar hypophosphataemic rickets. A notes and radiograph audit was performed of all patients attending our institution with hypophosphataemic rickets: a subset with PHEX gene anomalies was studied further. Lower limb radiographs were assessed at two points during childhood and note made of treatment start, compliance; indication, timing and result of surgery. Standing leg alignment radiographs were measured at skeletal maturity or at latest review.Aim
Methods
